Betrayal

Yes, I do
know what it is like
to be betrayed.

I am not alone in that.
No.
It is all too common, betrayal

by lovers, by fate,
by people we thought we knew,
but really, never did;

betrayal by time,
by our own weakness,
our own foolishness,
our own blindness.

So yes, I know that pain
and the choices betrayal leaves us.
Do we flee? Do we fight?

Do we build walls,
perfect fortresses to protect our hearts,
fortresses that will too betray us,

and leave us dry, mere husks,
safe, protected,
and empty?

Or do we stand at the gate,
and walk once again into battle,
our hearts open and soft,

in plain view,
foolhardy perhaps,
but vibrant and alive,

knowing love has no death,
except the one
we allow it.

 

About this poem

I saw this sign while in New York City last week. It’s part of a sign for an off Broadway play. It jumped out at me because betrayal is such a powerful, painful experience, so much so that even the word still has power to rip open wounds. I know, because that is what I experienced, even there. But how, I asked myself. How do we turn that around? How do we defeat betrayal?

There is only one way, frightening, and so, so very powerful.

Tom